Approaches- Biological

• Biological approach?

  The ides that all behaviours are due to biological factors.
• Studies?

  Biological approach is studies with twin studies. the higher the concordance rate more support for genetic explanations.
• concordance rate?

  likelihood that a trait found in one twin will be present in another
• Free will v determinism?

  Biologically deterministic
• Key assumptions?


  correlation between brain activity and behaviours. biochemicals and brain physiology can affect behaviours. Behaviours can be inherited
• Evolution?


  genetic basis for behaviours. characteristics that survive in the environment are passed on through generations.
• Nature vs Nurture?


  biological approach can be overly biologically deterministic. Other factors can affect behaviours.
• genotype vs phenotype?


  the genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual and the phenotype is the physical characteristics.
• Effects of brain physiology and neurochemistry?

  interactions between regions in the brain help to control different functions.
• Electrical Impulses?


  impulses are transmitted between neurons at synapses where neurotransmitters inhibit or excite other neurons. Neurochemical imbalances lead to abnormal behaviours.
• Endocrine system?


  regulates the circulation of hormones, released by glands into the bloodstream.
• Animal studies?


  used to investigate biological mechanism that would be unethical in humans.
• Case studies?


  can investigate normal behaviour by observing behavioural abnormality alongside corresponding changes in biology.
• Drug Therapy? Scans?


  initial phases of the drug therapy are conducted on non-humans. scans are used to gauge the physiology of the brain, help to identify the function of regions in the brain.
• Twin/ Family studies?


  investigate behaviours heritability. ( time consuming due to follow up data, difficult to find large samples).
• Twin/family studies (evaluation)?


  a twin has schizophrenia 48% the other twin will have it too. (MZ). Only 17% chance with (DZ) twins.
• Strengths of the biological approach?

  scientific methods used so makes the approach objective. Useful application in real life. Explain functions and causes.
• Biological approach weaknesses?


  reductionist, Socially sensitive, Biologically deterministic. the evolutionary theory in unfalsifiable.
• OCD?


  Low levels of serotonin, information transmission is impaired.
• Aggression?


  high levels of testosterone, Van da Pall et al (1988)- female rat injected with testosterone more aggressive.
• Schizophrenia?


  high levels of dopamine in the subcortex, explains speech poverty.
• APD?


  Antisocial personality disorder ( aka psychopathology ) associated with reduced activity in the pre frontal cortex which regulates emotions. Raine et al (2011) found 11% decrease in prefrontal cortext activity
• Orbitofrontal cortex?


  Emil Coccaro et al (2007) found that in aggressive psychiatric patients the OFC has reduced activity. The OFC is responsible for: self-control, impulse regulation and inhibition of aggressive behaviour.